Yesterday KBR issued a Blue Border Communication entitled Personnel Alignment and Reduction (PAR) outlining KBR’s alignment with the DoD’s reduced mission requirements in Iraq. Click HERE to read that.
The very first statement in the memo is making my BS detector go off! Here it is: “As we continue our commitment to transparency on the LOGCAP III project….” Is anyone else screaming “bull sh*t!”
You’re Fired!! Window or Aisle, Chicken or Pasta!! At will contract!! Bye Bye now!! In other words….KBR is sending expats home. I’ve heard rumors that there are people in tents at BTC waiting to DMOB. Can anyone confirm that?
In the construction industry, it’s the nature of the business to work yourself out of a job. We build stuff, we finish it, we move on. So on that issue I really can’t blame KBR for sending people home. I can however criticize them for their methods of choosing people. Now would be a great time to trim the fat, cut out the dead wood, get rid of the non-producers. But…I doubt they will do that. They will keep the suck ups a KBR loyalists!! The ones that will keep their secrets.
So, what is KBR doing? They are firing people for the most ridiculous stupid things like not wearing your KBR hat inside the DFAC. WHAT?? If you have to send people home JUST DO IT!! Pick people and DMOB them. Why must you demoralize and humiliated people who have put up with your crap for so long by firing them for something stupid? Just “man up” and pick people to send home.
One last question. How many Theater Managers, Project Managers and Attorney’s is KBR firing for something stupid? I’ll bet that’s a big ZERO!
Keep me posted.
Ms Sparky
My Husband mentioned this to me on the phone last night. He didn’t go in to much detail as he was tired and ready to get some sleep. I will ask him more about it and update you on what he’s hearing.. =)
I agree.. if you’re going to fire folks.. just fire them. Why all the jack around? Then again, this IS Kbr we’re talking about here. If they didn’t jack people around I’d probably have a heart attack from pure shock!
Ms Sparky’s Response:
That’s funny. And…you make a very valid point. If KBR started doing things ethically, morally and professionally correct now….I’d figure they were up to something and be suspicious. Poor ole KBR… just can’t catch a break!
What about this part:
The bottom-line is: We will be upfront with information concerning the PAR
as it is developed.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Yeah…I choked on that one. Why would they start keeping their people informed now? That statement is right up there with “I’m from the IRS and I’m here to help you!” (An appropriate quote for tax day..)
If you work in the DFAC you must wear your hat when you don’t wear you hat you are violating Military rules stating that if you work in the DFAC you must have on a hat and if you don’t then you are in violation. If you wreck a vehicle, back up a vehicle have an at fault accident or incident yes you should be fired because you put other people at risk they forgot to add that part in that is why they are getting rid of people who tend to not follow the rules.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I don’t believe I said he worked in the DFAC. He was just inside the DFAC, for whatever reason holding his hat.
Any news on the bids submited last month for the new contracts?
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I have nothing yet. If you hear something let me know.
Well then he could not have been in the DFAC and be fired for that. They have a policy in place stating you must wear your hat and lanyard at all times on post. Now we have people who refuse to follow policy and they end up being fired for violating policy. Like i said Ms Sparky there is always two sides to the story and your information you tend to recived is distorted. Getting fired for not wearing your hat in the DFAC is absurd, if you are not working in the DFAC then you should remove your head gear upon entering the DFAC.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
If you have fair and consistent management at your site that’s great. That is not the way it is Theater wide. It’s like each camp is a different company at times.
Ksniper777: I believe if you read more of the posts on this subject that is what we have all been saying since the information was first posted about being fired for not wearing KBR hat in the DFAC.
It’s just the chickens__t way KBR has of getting rid of people. Don’t fire the incompetent personnel, don’t fire the abusive personnel, don’t fire the personnel that have had numerous vehicle accidents on base, let’s just fire the personnel who actually follow the rules.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I find it so ironic…(not really) that now you can get fired for not wearing your hat and lanyard but when I was there the guy who assaulted me at work didn’t even get a right up or a day off. Things that make you go hmmm.
I am sorry but some of the comments seem contradictory to themselves, as I understand it they are firing people for these infractions–rules being broken. Is there an implication here that’s suggesting once upon a time they didn’t do so–fire people for braking the rules–no matter how lame some may take them as–such as wearing or not wearing hats and lanyard? Not to mention accidents in the vehicles. Seems as if this has become more of a damn if we do or damned if we don’t situation. Either way KBR is damned. Ms Sparky like you, I do hope it is the unproductive ones they let go. On a happier note seems as if the draw down is clear implication that some troops are going to be coming home–or at least leaving Iraq and I bet many a family is happy to hear this.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
That is correct. It didn’t seem to matter what the infraction was, such as assault, as long as the client (DoD/DoS) didn’t know about it, the chances of a termination were slim. At worst they would just be transferred to another site. If you did something stupid like, got caught selling steroids to the soldiers, or the military caught you doing something, you were outta there!
I guess too I should mention, I do understand the requirements of the hat and lanyard–at a guess I’d say this has to do with security–being able to identify friend or foes at a glance. Make sense.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
It’s nothing about friend or foe. It’s all about KBR being able to identify KBR Employees, being somewhere they think they shouldn’t…like the PX during the day. They started this crap when I was there in 2006 but never enforced it.
CAndrews: Let me ask you this then . . if you don’t wear a blazing red hat or blazing red lanyard with the KBR logo on it are you endangering anyone else’s life?? are you a security risk?? You already stand out in a crowd at a military base because you are in civilian clothes.
If a family member gets a phone call to tell them that their loved one was killed because you sent out the wrong information on a report do you think you should keep your job, let alone be promoted for the mistake you made??
Do you think that if you are required to work a 12 hour shift per day that xx amount of hours (not minutes, but hours) should be spent surfing the internet for personal reasons?? or making personal phone calls on the company satellite phone (hello, wonder what the per minute rate is for that).
Do you think that the managers/supervisors that are pencil whipping work that directly affects peoples lives, military and contractor both, should still be working?
These are the people who are still in country and need to be weeded out . . not the ones that are legitimately trying to do their jobs and being punished for “not properly wearing a cap or lanyard”.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
On the contrary, Ms Sparky’s information about the hat incident is not distorted for I am the one who told her about it. I was on the phone with my DH while the Gentleman in question was on the phone next to him. I heard him ranting and raving to his wife.. I asked my DH what exactly he was being sent home for as I could hear the words “I can’t believe I’m going home for this BS- it was hanging out of my back pocket”. “He’s getting sent home for NOT wearing his hat ON HIS HEAD in the DFAC”, my DH said. I could hear the Gentleman loud and clear with my own ears. You can’t get any closer to “out of the horses mouth” unless I had of actually been standing there with the poor guy. The bottom line is this, KBR can do as they want to. They can send home who they want for whatever bogus reasons they want. It happens all the time. To act like it doesn’t happen, is pure ignorance.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Sometimes it is difficult for people who have decent management at one camp to believe it’s not the same everywhere. Even in the same camp you don’t know all of what is going on because KBR and HR is so good at concealing it.
MrsC said,on April 16th, 2009 at 9:45 am On the contrary, Ms Sparky’s information about the hat incident is not distorted for I am the one who told her about it. I was on the phone with my DH while the Gentleman in question was on the phone next to him. I heard him ranting and raving to his wife.. I asked my DH what exactly he was being sent home for as I could hear the words “I can’t believe I’m going home for this BS- it was hanging out of my back pocket”. “He’s getting sent home for NOT wearing his hat ON HIS HEAD in the DFAC”, my DH said. I could hear the Gentleman loud and clear with my own ears. You can’t get any closer to “out of the horses mouth” unless I had of actually been standing there with the poor guy. The bottom line is this, KBR can do as they want to. They can send home who they want for whatever bogus reasons they want. It happens all the time. To act like it doesn’t happen, is pure ignorance
Well again getting fired not wearing you hat is the DFAC is untrue the military monitors at the door will ask you to remove you hat and sunglasses as you enter. Like i said if you are not a DFAC worker or performing a service inside the food prep areas which require a hat then you are not required to wear a hat period. I read these policy annoncements every other day concerning dress code for KBR employees. If you do not wear the hat or lanyard you are subject to up to termination. Now if you choose not the wear proscribed items then have no one to blame but yourself. Yes there are folks in Iraq that are skating by to get paid but those days are over. As Krash stated surfing the internet for personal use or phone calls then why didn’t you report it? Again there is always more to the story than people tend to bring forth but MRSC that person who was sent how for not wearing his hat in the DFAC is a BS excuse for not wearing the items proscribed in the Dress Code Policy. I don’t like to wear a collared shit either but it is the policy and i have choice either adhere to the policy or go home.
Ksniper777: Just how dense are you?? The previous postings said that the gentleman had his hat in his back pocket and the supervisor/manager made a scene about it in the DFAC.
Yes, the abuse was reported and swept under the rug.
It has always been not what you know but who you know over there and it will not change unless job performance takes precedence of profits.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Until the DoD and DCMA learn how to overseas and set the bar a little higher!
Thanks Krash.. I’m glad YOU understood what it was I said.
Riddle me this, why has the termination process, been isolated to Americans(yes I said it).American tax dollars, American jobs?
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Hmmmmm!! Let me see…Because they can hire “how many SCW” for the same money? That should be illegal if they are using US Taxpayer dollars!
..In addition to the devastation of a job loss, especially now, when someone gets fired and returns home to the US, they will also get screwed, royally, as far as taxes are concerned. Income of up to 85,700 is TAX FREE, however, you must not be in the US for more than 30 days. So, by coming home, ALL the income is now taxable.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Thanks!
..meaning no more than 30 days per year. So, once that is violated, BOOM! Uncle Sam time.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I heard it to be 35. But you’re right…BOOM!
Dr.J: It is mainly Americans at this time because the SCW’s (FN, TCN, whatever the politically correct term is for the third country nationals) work for about a 1/4 of what the Americans are paid. So if you want profits over performance you get rid of the highest paid. It’s just too bad that principal doesn’t apply to management . . send them home and keep the workers. That seems to be more cost effective to me, but then again I’m just a dumb truck driver.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I second that!
Dense well i dont know if you have worked for KBR or what Krash well people have a choice there was nothing mentioned about his hat in his back pocket or a scene at the DFAC see what i am saying about distored information. If you asked to correct your appearance and get an atitude about it yes you will be written up or fired. See folks you have people who think since they are americans they can do as the please and as they want. If you have policies written and are asked to abide by them either one you do it or go home. The days of buddies and all other kinds of crap are over because as they did in Kosovo they are getting rid of those who choose to not to abide by the rules and regulations. Call me dense all you want if this former employee would have corrected himself and went with life he would be still employed but decided to show up the manager or supervisior as Krash said and made a scene and now he is sitting at home. Do the math, fix the issues on the spot and stay employed or show everyone how bad you are and be sent home. That is how dense i am.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
The enforcement of the rules and regs are subjective. Different from camp to camp and manager to manager. Like it or not it’s the truth.
NOT wearing a hat in the DFAC? As far as I know that is a military policy and has nothing to do with KBR. I was told several times, when I was relatively new in country, to take my hat off when I accidentally left it on when entering the DFAC. Even at the small FOB I’m TAD at everyone takes off their head gear and they have signs to say such as well. You are required to wear your hat and lanyard 100% any other time, if someone got sent home for NOT wearing their hat IN the DFAC I would be protesting it. Basically what we are hearing at our morning meetings is don’t do anything stupid, just follow all of KBR’s dumb, over the top rules and you’ll last longer. KBR is making it so that if they have even the smallest reason to, they can send you home. I would say to everyone to reassure their spouses to just mind their P’s & Q’s and play KBR’s game until someone simply says “your going home because we don’t need you anymore…”
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Thanks!
who cares about the hat,stop with the bull about it. Put the thing on and go about your day. Now is that hard. You look around the base and it is the TCN’s that don’t wear there hats,but lets not tell them anything or fire them. KBR is making way to much money off of them to say a thing.Do any of you see what is going on here? We need to do something about this and get KBR to stop firing the good worker. We need to stand up for are rights. You can not keep pushing use around.
So what are you going to do? Not one dam thing,so shut up.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
No… we will not shut up. Thanks though
Ksniper777 said:
The days of buddies and all other kinds of crap are over.
Not so. We have some people on base who have caused direct and willful endangerment to amed forcesw personnel and have not been counseled or fired. We have had several people who HAVE reported such things and they were transferred or fired for their good work. We have supervisors who smoke in wood buildings it is overlooked because the good old buddy system is still firmly entrenched on most sites and only when the managers who allow or enforce such are sent home will teamwork be allowed to come back once more
Ms Sparky’s Response:
He is right. The enforcement of the rules and regs are subjective.
KBR is firing people for the littlest infractions. I was fired last week for something I didn’t do. I asked for the reports on my write up, and they told me its confidential that I cant have them. The dispute resolution line is a joke. How can a company get away with fraud, abuse and plain out stealing. As anyone knows who works for them, we all commit time sheet fraud. Nobody works the time they say on their time sheets. This company has to be shut down, they are no better than the enemy our troops are fighting.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
We are working on it. Any helpful info is always appreciated. Would like to talk more about that time sheet fraud.
KBR is firing people for the littlest infractions. I was fired last week for something I didn’t do. I asked for the reports on my write up, and they told me its confidential that I cant have them. The dispute resolution line is a joke. How can a company get away with fraud, abuse and plain out stealing. As anyone knows who works for them, we all commit time sheet fraud. Nobody works the time they say on their time sheets. This company has to be shut down, they are no better than the enemy our troops are fighting.
So what did they fire you for? If it was an infraction that they have been preaching about for the last few months well, i guess i have no words, how can you catagorize all of us for time sheet fraud? So basically you are saying we all are committing time sheet fraud.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I do believe there is an ongoing investigation into that.
Dr J, why concern yourself about the TCN’s policy states for you to wear your hat and lanyard simple either you wear it or you don’t. Then if you choose not to then accept the ramifications of the refusal to abide by policy. Your choice.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Even though it is a ridiculous requirement, I can’t argue with that logic.
Hmmm, I know all to well how these people must feel. I was fired by KBR in April 2006 for DOING MY DAMN JOB!!!! I had been sent home for a month in December due to my SITE MANAGER attempting to sexully assault me, so the company sent ME HOME for some therapy!! What BS!!! When I got back I went to MOSUL where I was an MWR Coordinator and was fired within days because I tried to help an MP by listening to him!! Now I am fighting with AIG over paying my therapy bills!! Working in Iraq led me to my husband but other than that, it was one of the worst experiences of my life!!!
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I’m sorry. It’s sucks that the exec’s can’t see what goes on.!
Krash, I am not disagreeing with you. Nor have I mentioned that I think the hat and lanyard rule isn’t nonsensical/ lame. What I was trying to understand is why the rule was implemented in the first place. And also if at one point they–kbr were lax on enforcing it, and now are more so prone to enforce it and other rules?
Ms Sparky’s Response:
It was implemented so they could track people outside their work areas. JMHO!!
Lucky for me, I never got spoken to about anything and I never wore that stupid bulls eye hat and I kept that lanyard tucked in my shirt. I was almost embarrassed to represent KBR around the soldiers after seeing what kind of douchebags they were.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I know exactly what you mean. There was many times I was embarrassed to announce the fact that I worked for KBR. Good for you!
And to add to the above, I was at Victory. Right next to the HQ where clouds of ‘smug’ and that sense of entitlement ran rampant.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
OMG! I hated KBR HQ. You could cut the arrogance with a knife.
I was fired for “Failure to act in a timely manner” when I was requested to image a hard drive for an internal investigation. It did take longer than expected due to logistical and technical problems. I will give them that. When I returned home and went through my old e-mail PST’s and flat out proved they lied in order to fire me, I was told that I could be re-hired but then would be fired for removing confidential data from theater.
I spent almost 3 years working for them, obeying the rules and at the same time, giving my free time to the soldiers so I could point satellite dishes for them. My thanks was having my HR record “locked” so that not even a Regional Manager can view the details and try to re-hire me.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I’m sorry. That sucks. Most people don’t seem to understand what really goes on over there and how things work.
CAndrews: I don’t know for sure what the date was that the rule about the hats was put into effect. All I know was that when I deployed they told us to wear non-identifying (no camo’s), non-descript (no bright colors), loose clothing, so we would not attract attention to ourselves and/or make ourselves targets for the insurgents.
Then we get word from management to wear flourescent orange and green plastic/vinyl safety vests while working (outside in 130 plus degree temperatures), then came the blazing red lanyards, then the hats. Now you have to keep in mind that these edicts are coming from Houston . . from people who are sitting in a comfortable air-conditioned office and have never left the city let alone been in a third world country.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
It started in the Green Zone/IZ in 2006 I think. I refused. AT that time they didn’t push the issue. That was BS. It was more for tracking purposes. Who was out of their work area. Too bad they did have something to document which senior manager was sleeping with which subordinate.
Sharon said,on April 17th, 2009 at 12:41 pm ..In addition to the devastation of a job loss, especially now, when someone gets fired and returns home to the US, they will also get screwed, royally, as far as taxes are concerned. Income of up to 85,700 is TAX FREE, however, you must not be in the US for more than 30 days. So, by coming home, ALL the income is now taxable.
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WRONG! You pro-rate your taxes for the portion of the year spent in Iraq. To do that, divide $87,500 by 365. That is your pro-rate that you can deduct.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I am having to disagree with you here. I was told clearly by my tax man who specialized in out of country income that I must stay out of the US 330/365 consecutive days to maintain my tax free status. I had to come home 13 days early to take care of some business with my daughter. Took care if and headed to Canada to finish out my 13 days. I actually had them stamp my passport. I’d check on this. I think if they get fired and sent home their screwed. Any tax people here?
You must not be in the US for more than 30 days to qualify for the entire amount.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I find it so ironic…(not really) that now you can get fired for not wearing your hat and lanyard but when I was there the guy who assaulted me at work didn’t even get a right up or a day off. Things that make you go hmmm.
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If you were assaulted, file a civil claim against the indiviual.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
And get what? They guy was a drug addict. If KBR had handled it appropriately it would be done and over with. But oh…no, now I have an unresolved issue that I’m still pissed about it. I don’t think I am as angry with the guy as I am with the way KBR handled it (or didn’t handle it).
The purpose for wearing the hats and lanyards was to identify KBR employees from other civilian contractors that were on base. The Military was always so quick to point the finger at KBR everytime a civilian caused a problem. Wheather it was a KBR employee or not. To eliminate that, the policy for the hats and lanyards were put into place. Not such a big thing for the amount of money that they pay us. Not necesarilly for tracking people but for identification purposes. KBR didn’t want to be blamed for what other contractors let their employees get away with.
Ms Sparky’s Respnse:
Interesting spin on things. I don’t ever recall that information being relayed. Is that something they just came up with recently? Plus….you don’t ever hear much about any other contractors employees in trouble…well except Blackwater. I’m not saying it doesn’t happen but why “brand” everyone for what one person is doing? I guess if KBR were above reproach it would be a different issue. But they aren’t. I find it interesting they were able to procure hats and lanyards for everyone and yet they still couldn’t get the proper tools and material.
Not a spin Ms Sparky that was the reasoning behind the hat and lanyard because when a civilian contractor does screw up KBR always got the blame. Case in point we were accused of conducting BASH operations near the flight line MP’s showed up at my place of work and ask had we been doing this and they also had the witness as well to indentify who was doing it. I asked a simple question, were they wearing a hat and lanyard like i had on? The witness said no, they were in a military uniform and the MP said thank you sir for your time it was the Air Force and they blame KBR. See for a changed they looked stupid trying to again toss KBR under the bus. Not sure if they spelled out the reason to you Ms Sparky but that was the main reason to cut back on the blame game. Alot of people design there own hats as long as they have KBR on it they don’t care. Yes there are other contractors that get in trouble you just don’t hear about because KBR is the target of everyone on base. Admitted Ms Sparky KBR has it good points and bad but you just don’t want to bring those up. Have a good one folks
Ms Sparky’s Response:
We had managers that would sit at the PX and watch for the red hat and lanyard. Take names. Even when the PX closed before we got off work. Even during lunch. So…..I still think the primary reason is for tracking their own employees.
No, It’s not something that has just come up recently. From day one when that policy came out that is what has been told to us by our PM’s, DPM’s, Managers and Supervisors. I don’t know what base you were on or how other bases relay information but on Anaconda thats what was put out. If they wanted to track us then they would issue out GPS systems to us not hats and lanyards.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
That’s not what was put out at every site. Trust me. Don’t give them any ideas. I’m not sure the DoD would allow KBR to invoice for chips.
Ms Sparky you must either be rush linbaugh or sean hannity. Never see the good only dishes the dirt LOL. If there is a policy in force then abide by it or go home very simple and very easy to do. You may not like rules and regulations but some of us do. We all have choices.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I love rules. I insist on rules. But they must be consistent across the board. Not willy nilly. And I see the good. Let me tell you what the good it. The good it that KBR has some amazing employees. If they were allowed to do their jobs things would be a lot better. Management is the problem. Not the employees.
The hats/lanyards on base makes sense to a point,(if the rules were properly enforced, but our complaint is that they were not consistent from base to base so you never knew if you were in compliance or not) but when you spend the majority of your working time outside of the wire, the hats/lanyards make you an even brighter/bigger target to aim at.
Driving the blazing white fuel trucks with red stripes was a big enough target, but by making just the expats wear the hats/lanyards you then identified which trucks had expat drivers versus which trucks had TCN drivers, so that the insurgents knew exactly what trucks to hit. The military (who was our client and ultimately our boss) told the drivers numerous times not to wear the hats/lanyards while on mission). This caused an uproar with management trying to implement the hats/lanyards rule, to the point of having Safety personnel stationed at the gates taking pictures of the departing trucks to make sure you had your hat (which is extremely hard to see under the combat helmet) and lanyard on. Then the military would stop the convoy outside the gate and tell us to take them off or conceal them.
There are many views to this issue and many diferent opinions on how is was enforced and the various comments reflect this. There is not a set policy for enforcing rules while in country . . every camp manager interpreted them to fit their own agenda/purpose, as did every contractor that the rules directly affected their job performance.
As drivers it made us targets, as electricians and plumbers, my guess is that the dangling lanyard off of the neck posed a safety hazard, while trying to work with the hat on in tight spaces was difficult to say the least.
Now as someone who spent their day inside a building, behind a desk/computer screen I don’t see any potential safety hazards for wearing the hat/lanyard.
If you had the hat/lanyard somewhere on your person, i.e. in your pocket, to provide proof of your contract company on request/demand, then why would you be terminated?? Is this not in compliance to have the hat/lanyard on??
Maybe someone in management should make an informed choice in how to apply this trivial issue. .but then again we are dealing with management that doesn’t give a damn!
Ms Sparky’s Response:
A lot of people have the misconception that how things are at there Camp is how things are theater wide. It is sooooo not that way. Each camp is like working for another company!
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I am having to disagree with you here. I was told clearly by my tax man who specialized in out of country income that I must stay out of the US 330/365 consecutive days to maintain my tax free status. I had to come home 13 days early to take care of some business with my daughter. Took care if and headed to Canada to finish out my 13 days. I actually had them stamp my passport. I’d check on this. I think if they get fired and sent home their screwed. Any tax people here?
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The 330/365 consecutive days out of country is to qualify for the entire amount. You can also pro-rate the time spent in country when it’s less than a year. Those people who went over in August (for example), or leave early, do not qualify for the whole year, but they do qualify for the partial amount for the time they spent in-country during that tax year.
I would suggest that you ask another tax accountant. Mine has pro-rated my taxes for 4 different contracts. I left in March of 2008 and did this for my recent return saving 90 days worth of income taxes. If you are in the Houston area, contact Stan Fortson.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Are you trying to tell me I stayed over there longer than I had to? I’ll call him. Thanks
I am surprised that nobody has spoken of the RIF’s (Reductions in force) done at least annually every year since 2005. It always seemed to coincide nicely with the nearing of the end of a task order or fiscal year, when the CLIENT ran low on funds. You know, when everyone was told you can’t order supplies until the money starts rolling in again, there is a hiring freeze no matter if you are 4 people short on a 7 man mission, etc. Or about the spending spree’s when the money did get turned on again.
It seems history is repeating itself. My husband let me know his camp was having to cut their scw force by 40% along with getting their expat numbers down to BOE strength. Now remember this BOE is the number of personnel allowed and approved of by the ACO/DCMA yada yada. When we asked for reasonable numbers it was slashed in half, so what do you do? Exaggerate to get what you need. I felt it to be a necessary evil. I absolutely loved being called out of bed at 0100 to answer questions about how many rolls of toilet paper I issued in a 30 day time frame, how long it took, and how many people could possible do it, when BOE time came around.
I do have to agree that things were different at each site, to me that was the major breakdown in the system. It was interpreted differently site to site, with each thinking they were doing it the right way. I got to travel to multiple sites with my job, allowing me to see the scope of this nightmare.
At one point I was asked to “observe and give feedback” on the STEAM SOR process because I was a SME. When I let them know that they were bogging down their system with unnecessary orders, I was told that it was the way it was there, and go on back to my site. They actually had one Labor Foreman spending all day creating and closing SOR’s for silly things like “sweeping off steps in front of office”. Not to mention that since the site also included that projects headquarters, everything had to be run thru headquarters because mgmt wanted their thumb on everything.
There are obvious disconnects, good ole boy tactics, and outright incompetence within the KBR infrastructure, but I am still thankful for the opportunity to meet and work with some of the best people from throughout the world. I just shudder to think how bad it could have been if we hadn’t been there to try to counteract the former.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I agree some of my best friends still, I met there. I have always contended that the majority of the everyday working people are awesome. We were just average working Joe’s. It was the freakin’ power crazed managers that had God complexes that were the problem. Thanks for the great comment.
Most of the comments are right on target, KBR will fire you for any reason they want to, if you are not in the “Click” you are walking on thin ice. I witnessed a young lady wreck a KBR vehicle and not even get a write up. Why you ask? She was good friends with the manager of her department and he went to bat for her. She is still employed. I worked in Finance and was a timekeeper for more than 18 months, timesheet fraud is committed by every employee I have ever seen over there.I have proof of this. I was fired in December 2008 for not reporting to work on time after coming back from Medical leave. This was just an excuse to get rid of me. I had filed a formal complaint against my supervisor in June of 2008, and I knew was just a matter of time before they got me out of there. I was wrote up in September 2008 for something they claimed i did while I was taking a vacation day, once I proved that I was on vacation that day, they still blamed it on me stating that it was my responsibility to make sure the TCN did it right even when I wasn’t there. But as many of you know If KBR management labels you as a problem (which you will get if you file a complaint against someone in management) it just a matter of time before you will be out of there.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I would love to talk to you more about this. I sent you an email. Please contact me.
Jona3300 said,on April 29th, 2009 at 8:36 am “I worked in Finance and was a timekeeper for more than 18 months, timesheet fraud is committed by every employee I have ever seen over there.I have proof of this. ”
You can KMA! I worked every hour I put on my timesheet.
I sat in a d*mn clinic for 12 hours every day waiting for you whiners to come in and attempt to impress me with the chronic illness you brought to the job thinking you were going to get free socialized healthcare. I don’t know how many 16-18 hour days I worked covering the company from frivolous medical complaints and malingerers.
Putting every employee in a single basket due to a personal presumption is telling of your mentality.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Alrighty then. I know there were people who were totally committed as were you. And again I urge people not to use the all inclusive word “EVERY”!!
Ditto to what Jimbo said as well!!!
Especially when I was at Fallujah as the only KBR medic for the camp. And how many ‘vacation days’ or ‘sick days’ did you take while there Jona? I took 1 sick day my entire time and that’s because I was puking my guts up with the flu when at the Al Asad clinic. So don’t give me this shit that ‘everyone committed time sheet fraud’.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Again…I just think it is that word “every”. Not a good choice of words. But, I will have to agree there was a large amount of what would be considered timesheet fraud. Especially among management.
I will admit to timesheet fraud, as I was told numerous times by management to REDUCE the number of hours on my timesheet . . . so what do you have to say about that Jona3300????
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I will admit that using the word “every” was probably not a good choice. But I will concur that there was a whole lost of screwing off going on. I’m sure there are some people who did there part and never went to the PX on compant time or went any bazaars. But I will admit my fair share of going to the PX or coffee shop during work hours.
I will admit to screwing off occasionally, but I felt that counterbalanced all the times when OT wasn’t allowed and I pulled up to 18 hour shifts. I remember arriving to work around 0630 and walking out around 2130 almost everyday for around 6 months. In the month of August of ’05 b/c of the upcoming audits and lack of previous preparation in the materials department, many of us pulled in around 115 hours a week, and of course only 84 were documented. It was nothing for someone who was finished with their work to stay over and help the next shift “off the clock”.
So like Ms Sparky said, “every” was a really poor choice of words. Try to understand that in that environment a few moments downtime sometimes made all the difference in the world for some folks’ sanity.
I too spent my time working for KBR on LOGCAP III. Like most I took the good with the bad. I was terminated for not being “fit for duty for medical reasons.” It was not clear to me and I am sure it will never be clear as to WHO deamed me not “fit for duty”. I was put on medical hold for 4 days with out pay. Let me remind you that we got 1 sick day a month and I had never used one in 26 months. When I went to the HR Manger and ask I was told no you can not use the sick days that you earned. Is it legal go give time off with with out pay in a War Zone/Hazard Zone? We are in constant danger 24/7, rememeber insurgents take no time off, so would some one from KBR in Houston please explain that to the employees family. Your loved one was killed while on a day off with out pay for not wearing their KBR issued hat/lanyard.
KBR is in a world of hurt right now and they do not need any more,but from the sounds of lots of former and current employees KBR is getting it right in the behind.
I have no problem paying taxes for not being out of the counry for more than 330 days, rememeber we are being paid with US Tax dollars and I am US Citizen. And I know where my money is being spent.
I could go on and on and mention name after name, but it would do no good. Good luck to all of you folks still there and to those of us at home cheers……..
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I would love to hear your story. You can email me if you don’t want to post it. Cheers!
We have had several Mechanics injured at our site because Management threaten to fire them if they did not complete jobs (in unsafe conditions, i.e no jacks or wrong tools). With several of the injured Mechanics I have stayed in touch with, they all have the same story. Injured, Sent to Kuwait with No Pay, then referred to the USA for 30-60 days, all of which received Termination Letters while on Medical Leave for “Performing Work outside the SOP which lead to Personal Injury”.
Anyone who thinks for one second you will be taken care of if hurt, think different. That $80K+ you make better go in to a account named “When I get Fired”.
Just found out yesterday that the Electrical Superintendent(or whatever his title was) for D&F sites Demob’d. Rumor has it that he was set to go on R&R to China with his wife and was told to push back his R&R or Demob. Seeing as he had spent all year working on a visa for his wife he elected to Demob and wrote a very strongly worded letter to Houston. It’s a shame because he was a very nice and good guy.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Nice way to repay a good employee. I am afraid his letter to Houston will fall on deaf ears. If he wants me to publish it I will be happy to.
I can’t tell you how many times i saw it
hmm does sound familiar I was given that option
well all in the past I have been in talking to Fluor and I process as a Foreman on the 29th of this month
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Congrats!! I do hope that Fluor is better than KBR.
bad news for Anaconda HVAC HAHA
when does their contract at Anaconda start 31rst correct
29th hmm
I worked for KBR for a year I got fired because hector trashed my truck with his sex toys and lube when I was on R$R anyway will this leave a black mark on my record? Will I not be able to get hired on wuith FLuor for LogcapIV?